Cell towers in Lake County forest preserves considered for revenue potential
The realities of falling revenue and rising expenses has prompted Lake County Forest Preserve District commissioners to explore the possibility of allowing cell towers on public properties.
As a policy direction, elected forest board members have given Executive Director Ty Kovach the OK to talk with cell tower companies to determine details such as annual payments and lease terms.
"We don't know the exact mechanics right now. Let's just see if there's potential," Kovach told the board's finance and administrative committee Thursday.
Decisions on specific requests, as well as the philosophical debate of whether cell towers have a place in forest preserves, could come later. For now, the idea would be to determine potential revenue streams from cell towers and other details, such as creating an endowment for long-term use of those funds.
"We're asking for an opportunity to see if there's an opportunity," added S. Michael Rummel, committee chairman.
A cell tower along Route 176 in the Lakewood Forest Preserve was acquired in 2007 when the district bought the former Four Winds Golf Course. Several years remain on the lease, but the owner is seeking an extension. Two other potential cell tower locations are at the Brae Loch Golf Course in Grayslake and at Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve in Buffalo Grove.
Kovach said the idea would be to target the funds for long-range use, perhaps by creating an endowment through the Preservation Foundation of the Lake County Forest Preserves. It is a charitable organization that receives funding through donations to support habitat restoration, educational programs and other activities.
"We should be protecting our future rather than saying, 'Oh, good. We could buy something else,'" Rummel said.
Based on figures he has heard, Kovach said three leases could generate about $90,000 per year, but he wouldn't know specifics until he talks with the companies. He stressed any funds would not be used for operating expenses but would be allowed to grow for decades as an endowment.
"We don't want to use this to plug a hole," Kovach said. "We really want to push that (the) money would be used for the future," he added.
Commissioners on other committees also have been receptive to Kovach determining the possibilities.
"I'm 100 percent behind it. I'm open," Commissioner Steve Mandel said during a separate discussion Monday. Mandel, a member of the land preservation and acquisition committee, said every situation would be different, but he noted the district is going to need more revenue as property taxes dry up.
Even talking with cell tower companies represents a shift from four years ago when then-Executive Director Tom Hahn at a finance committee meeting said the district had been approached many times for cell towers but routinely turned them down. Then, as now, the district was looking for ways to increase revenues or cut expenses, but allowing cell towers never made it to the table.